Improved lady s-saddle tree



VILLIAM RHODES AND GREENVILLE HAZLEWOOD, OF BLOOMFIED, IOWA.

. IMPROVED LADYS-,SADDLE TREE.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 58,293, dated September 25, 1866.

- tree. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through Fig. 1,

taken at the point indicated by red line a: a'. Fig. 3 is a front view of the tree.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates particularlyv to iinproveinents in the construction of ladys-sad- 4dle trees, or side-saddles, one of the objects being to so form the side bars of the tree that their bottom surfaces will conform to the shape of the back of the horse and project from the sides of the bellies of the tree, of which said bars form a solid part, a sufficient distance to serve as a means for attaching the covering of the saddle on the top sides of said bars, thereby leaving the bottom sides free from creases, seams, or other projections, as will be hereinafter described. i

Another object of our invention is to form each belly and side bar of one piece of wood, for the purpose of making the saddle more substantial and much easier and simpler in construction, as will be hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand our invention, we will describe its construction and operation. l

In the accompanying drawings, A A represent the side bars of the tree, and B B are the bellies, which are formed on the top sides of their respective bars, so as to constitute the seat or supports for the seat. Under the old mode of construct-ing these parts the bottom sides of the bars A A are given the required form by padding and stuffing, which is a long and tedious operation..

The elevations B B are formed also by stuff ing. This is particularly a difficult operation, and requires good workmen to perform it. We construct each one of the bars with a conveX bottom surface conforming to the shape of that portion of the back of a horse upon which the saddle is supported. These bars are not only rounded or curved from the in side edges, a a, outward, but their ends are curved or rounded to fit the concavities of the back of the horse. 1 l

The bellies B B are formed on and are a part of the wood of the bars, and extend from the cautle C to the poiutwhere it is desired to attach the pommel portion D, as shown in Figs. 1 an d 2. These bars and bellies `may be carved by hand or by suitable machinery adapted to the purpose, and they are attached together by means of arched straps c c', one in front and the other behind, and also by means of the cantle-piece C, as shown in Fig. 1. The points or extended portions del of the pommel D also assist in uniting the bars, and when properly put together there is a space, E, left between the edges a a of these bars eX- tending longitudinally from'one end to the other of the tree.

In forming the bellies and bars the outer edges of the latter project a short distance from each side of the seat, or from the outer sides of the bellies, as shown at g g, for the purpose of enabling us to attach the covering of the tree to the upper side thereof. In the usual mode of attaching the seat and skirts the nconvex surfaces of the bars A A are covered by tacking the materia-l over the edges a a, and then drawing it tightly over the bottom surfaces ot' the bars and securing along their outer edges to the skirts. By extending the edges of the bars beyond the sides of the bellies (outside) we obviate the objection hitherto arising of leaving seams on that side of the saddle which is next the horses back.

The short and long horns h h' are applied to the pommel portion in the usual manner, and these horns maybe constructed of any of the well-known forms.

In constructing and iitting up the saddle we shall cover the tree with rawhide, which we consider to be the` best material, as it can be stretched over and made to iit the bellies and` Y Our saddle will be fastened on the horse by the well-known Spanish girth-fastening, consisting of two straps, one crossing` the front part of the saddle and the other crossing the hind part of the saddle, the ends of these straps connecting in'a ring on each side of the saddle and a strap from the ring to the girth.

We are aware that a treefor a Inans saddle has been madeof two pieces of wood, united together by means of arched straps; but in the construction of such trees lan elevated seat, such as We show, has not been adopted.

We are also aware that atree for a ladys side-saddle made of one piece, with an elevated seat, hasbeen made.

Now,wl1ile We do notelaln the style of mans-saddle tree above referred to, nor the one-piece tree for ladies7 side-saddles,jas above referred to, We think the combination of some of the features of tbe manssaddle tree and some of the features of the side-saddle tree above referred to is a new and useful invention. Therefore,

e eeos Having' thus described our invention, what We do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp I A ladys-saddle tree which is so constructed that while its bellying portions BB accurately conform to the horses back Without being,` stuffed or' padded, the upper surfaces of said portions are elevated above the side bars, A A, all along the length of said bars, so as to form the requisite raised seat without being,` padded or stuffed Von said surfaces; but this We only claim when the elevated bellying portion and the bar of each side of the tree are of one piece and the twoside bars are united by straps, all substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM RHODES. GREENVILLE HAZLE YV() OD.

Witnesses:

HENRY H. TRIMBLE, JOHN M. DENNY. 

